At East Carolina University, athletic and academic excellences are inseparable goals for student-athletes. The University is committed to the academic success and graduation of students participating in its athletic programs. The Department of Athletics supports this commitment with extensive academic support services in order to maximize the success of every student-athlete.

Under the direction of the ECU Student Development Staff, Pirate student-athletes have reached new heights in academic achievement during the past few years, including having eight student-athletes named Verizon CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

The ECU Athletics Department is committed to its Student Development Program and the understanding that student-athletes become well rounded in all aspects of life. The primary goals for the Student Development Program are:

To support in the efforts of every student-athlete who attends ECU to earn a degree.

To provide assistance for the student-athlete in the development of values, emphasizing the qualities of leadership.

To enhance the interpersonal relationships and communication skills of the student-athlete.

To facilitate the fulfillment of career and life goals of each student-athlete.

To safeguard the academic integrity of the University by insuring compliance with all rules of the University and the NCAA.

The NCAA and the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association have developed a life skills program for student-athletes to help them bridge the gap between college and the years after graduation.

The mission of the CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) program is to provide a personal development program designed to reach each student-athlete based on his or her individual needs. The focus of the program is on the student-athlete, as a whole person-academically, athletically and emotionally-and on they're changing needs and skills during college and in the years after graduation.

Ultimately, the CHAMPS program is designed to help student-athletes realize higher academic achievement, a higher level of maturity, self-responsibility and greater overall success. As a participant in this program, ECU is dedicated to carrying out all the program's goals and commitments.

Among the Academic Development Services available for student-athletes are tutorial programs, study halls, academic skills development, and orientation. Additional programs such as leadership development seminars, a speaker's bureau and community service programs are an important part of the student development program.

The athletics department has set up several prestigious awards for ECU student-athletes. For the past eight years, PCS Phosphate has sponsored the ECU Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award. The award is presented annually to a male and female athlete who best exemplifies both academic and athletic success. PCS Phosphate also recognizes an All-Academic team selected from the highest cumulative GPAs of each team.

Student-athletes also serve on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council, which is an advisory organization for the Office of Student Development and the Department of Athletics.